Phil Mickelson wins British Open

U.S. left-hander Phil Mickelson made history in the world's oldest major golf tournament with his extraordinary victory in the British Open, which wrapped up in Muirfield, Scotland, on Sunday.

The 43-year-old Mickelson won his first British Open and adds the victory to his three Masters wins in Augusta (2004, 2006 and 2010) and the U.S. PGA (2005).

The popular player from San Diego, who last week won the Scottish Open - his first individual title in the United Kingdom - repeated his victory at Muirfield, thereby reportedly throwing off the curse that is said to follow the winner of the Scottish Open.

Mickelson, in addition, is the second left-hander to win the British Open, with New Zealander Bob Charles being the first back in 1963.

Mickelson shot a 66 on Sunday - five under par - one of the best scores of the tourney, winning the title with the only overall under-par score, and three strokes ahead of Sweden's Henrik Stenson and four ahead of Australian Adam Scott and Brits Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, the latter of whom had led at the outset.

The American has been trying to get a win in the British Open for the past 20 years and this year's win nets him the $1.44 million purse and the coveted Claret Jug.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods, the No. 1 golfer on the planet, had a bad tourney this time around shooting a 74 and being unable to place higher than sixth.

Since 1979, the British Open has been played on the weekend of the third Friday in July. It is the third major of the calendar year, following The Masters and the U.S. Open, and preceding the PGA Championship. EFE